Lakewood, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

5 feet above the tree's uphill side per § 19-2. Section 19-4 routes every application through the Inspection Department: no permit issues until a tree preservation and removal plan required by § 19-5 is reviewed and approved, and the Code Enforcement Officer inspects the site. The Officer must approve or deny within 20 business days of a complete application, per § 19-4f, and a denial can be appealed to the Township Committee within 10 days, with the Committee required to hold a hearing and decide within 60 days.

Fees under § 19-8 are $10 per lot at filing plus a $25 inspection fee for any application requiring on-site verification. 5-inch caliper replacement tree or $200 for trees 10 to 16 inches DBH, scaling up to five replacement trees or $800 for trees over 30 inches, capped overall at $2,000 per acre of clearing. A permit is void if the work is not finished within 36 months, per § 19-6. Section 19-3c lists exceptions, including trees under 10 inches DBH, trees on lots of one acre or less with a single-family home and an issued Certificate of Occupancy, dead or hazardous trees, and trees within 10 feet of an approved building foundation.